Liverpool want unhappy Baia from Barcelona

FC Barcelona are set to sell Portuguese international goalkeeper Vitor Baia and Liverpool are interested.

Dutch coach Luis Van Gaal has dropped Baia who has repeatedly criticised the squad rotation system at Barca and Van Gaal apears to have lost final patience with the highly-rated Portuguese international. Baia would command a large transfer fee but is an outstanding international with years of experience. He has only lasted a little over two years at the Catalan giants after a £5 million move from FC Porto after he played in Euro 96.

Liverpool have failed to sign Paraguay captain Jose Luis Chilavert after two attempts to capture the goalkeeper from River Plate in Argentina but are still interested in signing a top goalkeeper. New coach Gerard Houllier wants a new goalkeeper as he does not regard US international Brad Friedel or David James as answers to the side's defensive fragility - shown again in a 3-1 UEFA Cup defeat last night in Spain against Celta Vigo. Representatives of Liverpool made initial contact with Baia during the trip while most Spanish press attention was focussed on the presence of Real Madrid transfer target Steve McManaman in the Liverpool party.